Zone O

As a cutter, playing zone O is one of the harder tasks. There aren't clear cutting lanes, the timing has to be perfect, handlers start to get frustrated, etc... 

I am going to mention a few thoughts on running the zone O, from all positions. I think the most important thing to keep in mind at all times is that there is no single answer to a lot of questions about how to deal with, or react to, a given scenario. The offence must remain dynamic and be willing to exploit any weakness without being stifled when forced to throw extra passes.

Toly Throwing Against McGill's Zone

Assume that the defence is showing 1-3-2-1.

I favour a 2-2-2-1 offensive set. This means that there are 2 handlers, 2 wings, 2 poppers, and 1 deep. 

Handlers:

These two should be spread quite wide across the field. You must realize that a common, and effective, method of exploiting the zone D is by creating seams in the defence by forcing the players to get out of position. There are a number of ways to do this (e.g. faking hard, popping into the cup, reversing the field quickly), and one is by tiring out the cup. If the two handlers are spread wide, then the cup has a longer distance to run. This results in a more tired cup, more likely to not move as a unit and therefore create throwing seams. 

Handlers should aggressively dictate the offence when playing against the zone. Throw and go is a must. By sprinting after their passes, handlers keep the defence on their toes, chasing rather than dictating the flow of the disc. An added bonus is that defenders will often follow the handler who has thrown and is now going (which, again, drags them out of position and opens seams for the player with the disc).

One last point for the handlers: the easy open-side throw should not be the first look. Always move against the mark to the upwind side. Realize that the defence wants you to throw to the downwind sideline and is often baiting that throw in order to clamp down with the trap. You certainly can take that throw. However, use the first couple stalls to try and get something better. And if you do throw it to that weak side, the receiving player must get it off quickly to avoid the trap. 

Wings:

The wings are placed quite close to either sideline. Do not be level with the handlers. You want to be catching for yards - every time. Recognize that the handlers (and poppers) will be doing a lot of the work, flipping little passes and breaks to each other. The wings are more a spacing position. If they are placed correctly, then they should be able to receive the disc in a power position. Both wing players must be able to make quick decisions and throws. Once they get the disc, if there is a well timed cut, then there should be a good up field look. If not, get that disc back to the middle. 

Poppers

Poppers play a rather opportunistic position. When I mentioned at the beginning of the article that I find it quite difficult to cut in the zone, this is the position I had in mind. I find it difficult because it's almost like a combo of what the handlers and wings are doing. Many times it is correct to simply stand in a gap or right behind the cup, waiting for the thrower to break or lift something over to you. Other times you want to be darting around, forcing the mids in the zone to make a decision about who they are going to cover, or crashing the cup in order to then quickly turn and throw through it. 

One thing you always want to do is keep your eye on the disc. Never turn away when playing zone O because you really could get the pass at any point. 

If you receive the disc through the middle, you are now in a power position. Think about it. Four of the opposition's 7 defenders are behind you. Try not to rush throws, but know that if you keep the disc moving quickly the defence will be scrambling to catch up. This is precisely what you want. 

Note also that the poppers should take the opportunity to switch with the deep if the timing works out. As with everything in ultimate, you have a given position, but you should be dynamic and flexible enough to change on the fly. 

A last thought is this: timing is crucial for the poppers, both to set up their own cuts and to set up continuation flow once a dangerous throw has come up the middle or out to the break side. Be aware that there is a deep behind you and that he may be coming in for a big gainer (this is usually the case when the disc comes out to the breakside wing). Don't cut him off. 

The poppers and handlers are essentially probing the zone to see, 

A) Where its structural weaknesses are (i.e. the theoretical weaknesses of the particular zone itself), and, 

B) Where the actual weaknesses are (note that these may be different as the defence may make mistakes/strange decisions, or you may have a special thrower, etc...).

Deep

When running zone O, I'd be happy if the deep touched the disc once, when catching for the score, or never. Now, that is probably an exaggeration but I think you take my point. The deep is not looking to actively get in on the action. All too often this creates clogging and draws in an extra defender. The guys up front need space to work, space that is generated by the deep staying back. Keep your defender busy by moving and trying to get behind him at all times. This is a great position to practice timing your cuts as you can clearly see all the action. You should be shifting from side to side, opposite the disc, and when the big lane opens up, feel free to take the big gainer (note, as mentioned above, this will likely happen when the disc quickly swings out to the breakside wing). If you do come in for that gainer, it could be a good time to switch with a popper. Be vocal. 

That's a basic rundown on some zone O thoughts. Nothing is ever set in stone, though there are some principles that should be adhered to more rigorously (e.g. handlers spread wide, don't take the easy openside throw, etc...).

Be aware that the reason teams throw zone is usually two-fold: 

1) They want to break up a set play

2) They want to force you to throw a greater number of passes. 

Take some time to think about this second reason. No pass is 100%. By forcing you to throw multiple passes, the defence is using math to lower your completion percentage. It's not good enough to complete the first 20 passes, then gaffe the 21st in the red zone as the zone is melting because you want to score as quickly as possible. A lot of throws will be 'easy' against the zone because they are very short. Make sure that your focus is high and that you don't get ahead of yourself by thinking about the next throw before catching the disc. The only thing that matters at the end of it all is if you scored, not how close you got.

One last comment is on defensive adaptation. Just because throw X worked the last 4 times, does not meant that it will work time number 5. Just as the O is probing the D, so the D is probing the O. They are waiting and watching to see exactly how you go about beating their zone. Good teams won't come out of the gates laying out for everything (that's the stuff of college boys). They will hunt the throws they think they have a chance at, then pounce when a lazy one comes out. This is yet another reason why it is imperative to fake and be hyper-aware when throwing in the zone. 

those are my thoughts. 

tcs